Why did we suggest to our client that we build a mobile website instead of an iPhone app?
Our client wanted to update their content leading up to the Cairns Indigenous Art Festival and I knew they were familiar with the iSmart CMS which they use for their current website so the learning curve to update content for their mobile website would be minimal.
I love my iPhone, but when considering a solution for CIAF I had to be realistic. As much as I enjoy the apps, if it doesn't need to interact with my iPhone, then I couldn't see the benefit, especially as a mobile website worked out to be less expensive than building an app for each smart phone platforms. Also considering how fast new phones and platforms are hitting the marketplace it would be beyond the budget of their organisation to afford the constant app update.
We are considering building a small app that can be downloaded to simply point to the mobile website, but I have read negative comments from users on other sites who feel cheated with this type of short cut. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this??
How does it work?
When a user with a smart phone goes to the website a bit of smart coding can detect the device they are using and automatically shoot them off to the mobile website. Very cool. We need to be aware that iPad users will probably prefer to use the full website rather than the cut down mobile site and might get annoyed if we chuck them elsewhere.
Is there a difference between a traditional website and a mobile website?
Absolutely. You will know yourself how hard it is to read the information on a small smart phone screen, especially for those of us over 35. We recommend that you research the top 5 pages/information your audience would like to access and present it to them in a simple way so they can easily click and read on a small screen. It is a good idea to check out what the savvy large companies do, especially the airlines, for an idea of what works really well. Make sure you look at your website statistics carefully to understand the way your current audience navigate your traditional website.
We do lots of websites for retail shops and shopping centres and I can say with 100% accuracy that the 'location' and 'trading hours' will be the most popular page listed on their statistics (followed by specials, competitions and coupons). When it comes time for them to build a mobile site I will suggest that the first two big buttons are tagged 'our location' leading to a google map and 'our trading hours'.
What type of business is suited to mobile website?
PayPal lists the following:
- clothing, shoes, accessories
- books
- gifts
- financial services (love that Internet banking)
- music (yep, another favourite)
- tickets for movies (get me out of this lineup)
- computer software
- video games, apps (can't get my son away from them)
- collectibles, memorabilia
- baby and child related goods (mummy on the go)
What about SEO?
The good news is that all that work that has gone into SEO (search engine optimisation) for your traditional website will benefit your mobile site too. You won't need to start from scratch or go through yet another steep learning curve on 'how to drive traffic to an app'.
If you do have the budget, you may consider doing both a mobile website and an app. But think very carefully on what the benefit and ROI (return on investment) an app would bring to your organisation. I use my banking app all the time, I could use the website, but the app makes it very quick to transfer money or check my bank balance via big buttons and simple steps.
Mobile browsing is here to stay and with the explosion amongst the young tech savvy we would be foolish to ignore them and not give them what they demand. I am yet to meet a 14, 18 or 22 year old that doesn't have their phone glued to some part of their body.
Sue Wickenden
CEO, iSmart Software
Our products and services:
Web Design Brisbane, Room Booking Software, Course Booking Software
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